Israel deploys rescue planes to Amsterdam after violent attacks on football fans

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deployed two planes to Amsterdam to rescue Israeli citizens after what he and Dutch officials described as "antisemitic" attacks broke out following a football game.

Dutch police said that five people were hospitalised and 62 were arrested after rioters attacked Israeli football supporters both before and after the game.

The fans were in Amsterdam to watch a Europa League match between Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dutch team Ajax.

Antisemitic rioters “actively sought out Israeli supporters to attack and assault them” after a soccer match, Amsterdam authorities said.

Fans were reportedly assaulted in different locations in the Dutch capital before the game started. Several additional attacks begun after Israli team lost to Ajax, according to the Times of Israel.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the attacks "completely unacceptable" and "anti-Semitic," adding he was in contact with his Israeli counterpart.

He said that the situation was under control and that perpetrators would be found and prosecuted.

Netanyahu announced he was sending planes to the Netherlands, which would include medical and rescue planes, and he had spoken to the Dutch Prime Minister.

The leader also called for increased security for the Jewish community in the Netherlands and for the Dutch government to take swift action against the perpetrators of the violence.

IDF International Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani described the decision to send planes to Amsterdam as part of a "historic duty of protecting our people."

Alongside rescue planes sent by the government, Israeli airline El Al announced it would be offering two free rescue flights from Amsterdam to Israel.

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